Bed accessory



L. J. WIENER Jan, H3, 1953 BED ACCESSORY Filed ma 1a, 1948 V 2 Sl-lEETS-SHEET 1 VIII/II fill/l IN VEN TOR.

Patented Jan. 13, 1953 BED ACCESSORY Louis J. Wiener, New York, N. Y.

Application May 13, 1948, Serial No. 26,771

2 Claims.

This invention relates to bed spring accessories. More particularly, my invention is concerned with a bed spring accessory of the type shown in my Letters Patent No. 2,082,131 of June 1, 1937 and No. 2,133,369 of October 18, 1938, such accessories being characterized by their ability to swing bed springs to an inclined position for cleaning the spring and the fioor beneath the bed.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide an accessory of the character described which can be raised more easily than those shown in said Letters Patent.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide an accessory of the character described having improved spring counterbalancing means.

Other objects of my invention will in part be obvious and in part will be described hereinafter. Y My invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplifled in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of my invention;

Fig. 1 is a side view of a bed including a raised accessory embodying my invention, one of the bed sideboards being partially broken away tobetter illustrate said accessory;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating the accessory in lowered position; and

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary views taken substantially along the lines 4-4, 5-5 and 55, respectively, of Fig. 3.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral l0 denotes a bed having a footboard It, a headboard i4 and sideboards H5, H3, these latter being provided with molding strips 20, 22 adjacent their lower edges as is conventional. The bed is adapted to have disposed thereon a standard bed spring 24 and. mattress 25. It may be mentioned here that any type of spring can be used in conjunction with my invention.

Pursuant to my'invention, the bed spring 24, instead of lying on slats or the like bridging the molding strips 20, 22, is supported by a lifting accessory 28 which rests on these strips. Said lifting accessory essentially includes (a) a base frame 38 which spans and rests upon the molding strips, (2)) an upper frame 32 on which the bed spring rests and which may, if desired, be secured by suitable fastening elements to the bed spring, (0) a hinge 34 pivotally interconnecting the frames 30, 32 preferably adjacent a sideboard l6, i8, (d) an extensible linkage 35 interconnecting the two frames 30, 32 remotely of the hinge 34, (e) a spring counterbalancing means 38 operatively associated with the --extensible linkage and urging the same to extended condition whereby to move apart the bed frames, and (f) a second spring counterbalancing means A0 operatively associated with the two frames for urging the latter to their spaced apart position.

More specifically the base frame 30 includes a pair of cross bars spanning the molding strips 20, 22. Each of said cross bars includes two angle irons I52, 44 interconnected by bolts 46 and wing nuts 43, so that the length thereof can be adjusted to compensate for slight variations in the width of a bed. The cross bars are depressed between their ends as best illustrated in, Fig. 2 whereby they each constitute a long, straight, horizontal central portion, and a pair of raised ends connected to the central portion by short inclined sections. The ends of the cross bars are permanently tied together by angle irons 50, 52 running lengthwise of the-bed so that the base frame has a rectangular plan configuration.

Although the base frame simply may rest on the molding strips, I prefer to include suitable means for positively restraining shifting of the said frame relative to the bed. Such means, as shown herein, is in the form of an angle bracket 54 at each corner of the frame. The horizontal flange of each angle bracket is secured to the base frame by a rivet 56 which joins a cross bar to one of the angle irons 50, 52. The lower edge 58 of the vertical flange of each bracket is notched or serrated (see Fig. 6) so that it will bite into the molding strips, as exaggeratedly illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 6.

Additionally, means may be provided to enhance the grip of the serrated edges at at least one corner. Such means includes a fiat rod 60 pivotally connected by a rivet 62 to the depressed central portion of a cross bar, and having a wing bolt 64 threaded through a tapped opening in its free end. The tip of the wing bolt is fitted with a disc 66 which thus can be pressed against the undersurface of the associated molding strip and/or sideboard whereby to draw the'affiliated angle bracket 54 against the molding strip. The Y Each cross member 68, I includes a centrally depressed portion 12 (Fig. 2) which is considerably shorter than the depressed central portion of the corresponding cross bar of the base frame. One set of ends of the cross members 68, I0 are permanently interconnected by a fiat strip I4 which may be joined to the cross members by welding.

It will be observed that intermediate their ends, the cross members 68, have their fiat surfaces vertically disposed, but that at the ends thereof, the flat surfaces are horizontal when the lifting accessory 28 is closed. This permits the upper frame better to resist bending under vertical stress throughout most of its length and yet enables the ends to be attached readily to a bed spring by conventional fastening elements. Thus, the two ends of each cross member, as shown in the drawings, are connected to the bed spring by wood screws I6 which engage the wooden frame members in the bottom of the bed spring. It will be understood that if the bed spring has a metal base, other types of conventional fastening elements can be employed, as for example clamps. Thus, the bed spring 24 and upper frame 32 will move together when the lifting accessory 28 is properly incorporated in a bed.

The hinge 34 is a conventional hardware fitting, there being one hinge for each pair of associated cross bars and members in the upper and base 4 frames. The hinge pintles are horizontal and in alignment. One plate 86 of each hinge is permanently joined, as by welding, to an upright flat bar 82 secured to a corner of the base frame, for example, by the same rivet 56 as that used to hold together the elements of the base frame at said corner. The other hinge plate 84 is similarly joined to an extension 86 of the associated cross member of the upper frame, this extension being bent to lie at right angles to the end of the cross member. The extension 86 is designed to lie fiat against a side edge of the spring 24.

For a reason which later will be apparent, I also may provide an extensible abutment member 80 (see Figs. 2 and 6) in the form of a strip comprising a base 90 with depending legs 92, 94. The lower end of each leg is pivotally attached, as by a rivet 96, to one end of a short link 98 whose other end is pivotally attached, as by a rivet I00, to the associated extension 86 of the upper frame. The span of the abutment member is so proportioned with respect to the length of the links, that the abutment can be moved from an inoperable position (shown in full lines in Fig. 6 in which its base 90 is located below the level of the top surface of the spring, to an operable position (shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 6), in which said base is located above the top surface of the spring. The abutment is moved from its inoperable to its operable position by first rocking the same toward one of the extensions 86 until there is sufficient room adjacent the other extension to swing the link 98 up past its dead center position with respect to the associated leg of the abutment. Then the abutment is rocked toward the other extension and the process repeated for the opposite link.

The extensible linkage 36 comprises two pairs of links I02, I04 and I06, I08 (Fig. 1), each pair being associated with a different set of cross bars and cross members in the upper and base frames. Since the two pairs of links are identical, only only one pair I06, I08 will be described in detail. The link I06 is pivotally secured at its lower end, as by a rivet IIO, to one of the cross barsv of the base frame, e. g. to the angle iron 42, at a point remote from the hinge 34. Said link is pivotally attached near its other end, as by a rivet II2, to an end of the other link I08. The other end of the link I08 is connected, as by a rivet II4, to the cross member 10 of the upper frame. The lengths of the links is less than the distance from either of the rivets H0, H4 to the hinge, so that when the lifting accessory 28 is closed, as shown in Fig. 3, these links will lie substantially flat between the upper and base frames, which latter are in juxtaposition. However, the links are sufficiently long so that when in fully extended position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, they will elevate the upper frame to the desired position with respect to the base frame.

Desirably, means may be included to limit the relative pivotal movement of the two links with respect to one another after they have moved past dead center position when raising the upper frame. Such means simply may include an ear IIB integral with the upper end of the link I06 and inturned to abut the link I08 after the links havemoved past their dead center position during opening.

The two lower links I02, I06 are joined by a tie strap I I8 and the two upper links by a tie rod I20 whereby to reinforce and stiffen the linkage system.

Optionally, a locking mechanism can be included to positively retain the links in their extended condition. This mechanism may take the form of a lock pin I22 captively secured to a lower link I06 by a chain I24 and adapted to be thrust through registered apertures in the links I 06, I08 when the latter are in their extended position.

The spring counterbalancing means 38 is located adjacent the pivotal connection between each lower link and a cross bar of the base frame, being attached to both these elements. Said means constitutes a pair of torsion springs I26, I28 of the type, for example, shown in my Letters Patent No. 2,133,369. Each spring includes two coiled portions I30 (see Fig. 5) which have their axes coincident, these portions being disposed on opposite sides of the vertical flange of the angle iron 42. One end of each coiled portion has an upwardly extending arm I32 on whose tip is a loop I34 which is received on a transverse pin I36 fixed to the lower link I06. The other end of each coiled portion I30 has a forwardly extending arm I38. The two arms are joined at their tip by a U-shaped interconnecting portion I40 which is bent upwardly at an angle to the arms I38. This interconnecting portion is received in a notch I 42 in the vertical flange of the angle iron 42. The spring is made out of resilient wire and in its normal condition the arms I 32, I38 extend away from the coiled portions at a much more obtuse angle than shown in Fig. 2. Thus, the tendency of the spring in general is to swing the link I06 in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed from Fig. 2) with respect to the associated cross bar of the lower frame.

When the accessory is fully closed, the links I06, I08 are approximately juxtaposed (see Fig. 3) and the action of the spring counterbalancing means 38 tending to swing the lower link I06 in a counterclockwise direction about the rivet I I0 (as viewed from Fig. 3) also tends to swing the upper link I08 in the same direction about a rivet I I4. Because of such action, the spring counterbalancing means 38 binds the linkage system when the accessory is closed. Therefore, in order to raise the accessory from its closed position considerable effort must be exerted. It will be understood, however, that once the linkage system is partially extended, said spring counterbalancing means 38 will reduce to a very nominal effort the force required to raise the accessory (with mattress and bed spring) to its fully extended position.

The spring counterbalancing means 40 is so located and connected as to overcome the necessity for applying a substantial initial effort in the opening of the accessory. To this end, said means is disposed between the hinge 34 and the extensible linkage, preferably being located comparatively close to the hinge. Said means 40 includes a spring which is adapted to urge apart two points thereof, these points being connected respectively to the base and upper frames. More specifically, the spring counterbalancing means 40 comprises two springs I43, one at each side of the accessory. Each spring is fashioned in the same manner as the springs I26, I28 described hereinabove. The U-shaped portion of each spring I43 is located in a notch I44 cut into a different angle iron 42 and is held in this notch by a pin I45 which overlies the adjoining portion of the spring. The loops I46 of the spring I43 are caught on a transverse pin I48 carried by the cross member III of the upper frame. The two springs I43, when unstressed, have their arms at a more obtuse angle than indicated in Fig. 2 so that the springs tend to urge apart the upper and base frames. When the two frames are closed, as shown in Fig. 3, the springs I43 are highly stressed and therefore tend to urge apart the two frames. The force exerted by the springs I43 when compressed is sufficient to almost counter balance the weight of the upper frame, the bed spring and the mattress so that very little effort is required to start opening the accessory. After the accessory is partially opened and a substantial part of the energy stored up in the springs I43 is spent, the springs I28 and I30 will almost complete opening of the accessory.

If desired, a suitable locking means can be incorporated to hold the accessory in closed condition when the mattress is removed. By way of example, such means may include a hook I50 and eye I52 attached respectively to the base frame and upper frame.

It thus will be seen that I have provided a bed accessory which achieves the several objects of my invention and is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A bed accessory comprising a base frame, an upper frame on which a bed spring is adapted to rest, a hinge pivotally interconnecting the frames for movement between an open position in which the frames are disposed apart at an angle to each other and a closed position in which the frames are adjacent each other, a pair of links, means to pivotally interconnect said links, means to pivotally interconnect one of said links to the base frame, means to pivotally interconnect the other of said links to the upper frame, spring means for rotating one of said links away from the frame to which it is connected, said links being approximately juxtaposed when the frames areclose together, and a torsion spring including a coil portion and arms extending radially from the axis of said portion at a widely diverging angle with respect to each other when the spring is relaxed so that the distal ends of the arms are widely spaced in such condition of the spring, said spring constituting a counterbalancing means interposed between said frames, the distal end of one arm being directly secured to the base frame at a point on said frame and the distal end of the other arm being directly secured to the upper frame at a point on the latter frame, said points being adjacent one another when the frames are in closed position whereby the spring is stressed in the closed position of the frames, said torsion spring urging said frames apart, said points being closer to the hinge than the points of pivotal connection between the links and the upper and base frames.

2. A bed accessory comprising a base frame, an upper frame on which a bed spring and mattress are adapted to rest, a hinge pivotally interconnecting the frames for movement between an open position in which the frames are disposed apart at an angle to each other and a closed position in which the frames are adjacent each other, a pair of links, means to pivotally interconnect said links, means to pivotally interconnect one of said links to the base frame, means to pivotally interconnect the other of said links to the upper frame, spring means for rotating one of said links away from the frame to which it is connected, said links being approximately juxtaposed when the frames are close together, a torsion spring including a coil portion and arms extending radially from the axis of said portion at a widely diverging angle with respect to each other when the spring is relaxed so that the distal ends of the arms are widely spaced in such condition of the spring, said spring constituting a counterbalancing means interposed between said frames, the distal end of one arm being directly secured to the base frame at a point on said frame and a distal end of the other arm being directly secured to the upper frame at a point on the latter frame, said points being adjacent one another when the frames are in closed position whereby the spring is stressed in the closed position of the frames, said torsion spring urging said frames apart, said pointsheing closer to the hinge than the points of pivotal connection between the links and the upper and base frames, the force exerted by the spring when compressed in the closed position of the frames being sufficient to almost counterbalance the weight of the upper frame, bed spring and mattress whereby very little eifort is required to start the opening of the accessory, and means to lock said frames in closed position so that the frames will remain in such position when the mattress is lifted off the upper frame.

' LOUIS J. WIENER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,966,470 Umbach July 17, 1934 2,082,131 Wiener June 1, 1937 2,133,369 Wiener Oct. 18, 1938 2,271,457 Herzog Jan. 27, 1942 

